Easy open flow wrappers

A method of fabricating a flexible film arrangement for forming an easy open flow wrapper, said method comprising:

• providing a flexible wrapper body film;
• applying a flexible film member over a portion of the flexible wrapper body film;
• and
• forming at least one line of weakness in the flexible wrapper body film, the at least one line of weakness substantially extending laterally across a portion of the flexible wrapper body film to define a removable portion in the flexible wrapper body film,
• wherein the flexible film member overlaps and extends beyond the at least one line of weakness, the flexible film member configured to prevent pre-separation of the removable portion from the flexible wrapper body film,
• wherein the flexible film member comprises one or more adhesives, in which the flexible film member is adhered to the flexible wrapper body film via the one or more adhesives,
• wherein an adhesive pattern of reduced bond strength or a kill zone is positioned over the at least one line of weakness, and
• wherein the flexible film member is positioned on an inner surface of the flexible wrapper body film, such that the flexible film member faces a storage area of the easy open flow wrapper.

An easy open flow wrapper, said easy open flow wrapper comprising:

• a flexible wrapper body formed from a flexible wrapper body film, the flexible wrapper body having a front panel and a back panel sealed together along one longitudinal seam and two lateral end seams containing a product therein;
• at least one line of weakness substantially extending around a portion of the flexible wrapper body to define a removable portion of the flexible wrapper body, such that application of a separation force upon the removable portion separates the removable portion from the flexible wrapper body at the at least one line of weakness and forms an opening in the flexible wrapper body;
• and
• a flexible film member disposed over and extending beyond the at least one line of weakness, wherein the flexible film member is configured to prevent pre-separation of the removable portion from the flexible wrapper body,
• wherein the flexible film member comprises one or more adhesives, in which the flexible film member is adhered to the flexible wrapper body film via the one or more adhesives, and
• wherein an adhesive pattern of reduced bond strength or a kill zone is positioned over the at least one line of weakness, and
• wherein the flexible film member is positioned on an inner surface of the flexible wrapper body film, such that the flexible film member faces a storage area of the easy open flow wrapper.

A method of packaging a product in an easy open flow wrapper, the method comprising:

• providing a flexible wrapper body film having at least one line of weakness defining a removable portion in the flexible wrapper body film and a flexible film member applied over and extending beyond the at least one line of weakness, wherein the flexible film member comprises one or more adhesives, in which the flexible film member is adhered to the flexible wrapper body film via the one or more adhesives, and wherein an adhesive pattern of reduced bond strength or a kill zone is positioned over the at least one line of weakness, and wherein the flexible film member is positioned on an inner surface of the flexible wrapper body film, such that the flexible film member faces the product;
• folding the flexible wrapper body film about the product and forming a longitudinal sealed seam by joining opposite longitudinal edges of the flexible wrapper body film;
• and
• forming two lateral end sealed seams,
• wherein the flexible wrapper body film is configured such that applying a separation force upon the removable portion separates the removable portion from the flexible wrapper body film at the at least one line of weakness and forms an opening in the flexible wrapper body film, and
• wherein the flexible film member is configured to prevent pre-separation of the removable portion from the flexible wrapper body film.